Interview with Tracy Wolff for Crave

Crave

by Tracy Wolff

Publisher: Entangled: Teen

Release Date: April 7th 2020

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

Synopsis:

My whole world changed when I stepped inside the academy. Nothing is right about this place or the other students in it. Here I am, a mere mortal among gods…or monsters. I still can’t decide which of these warring factions I belong to, if I belong at all. I only know the one thing that unites them is their hatred of me.

Then there’s Jaxon Vega. A vampire with deadly secrets who hasn’t felt anything for a hundred years. But there’s something about him that calls to me, something broken in him that somehow fits with what’s broken in me.

Which could spell death for us all.

Because Jaxon walled himself off for a reason. And now someone wants to wake a sleeping monster, and I’m wondering if I was brought here intentionally—as the bait.

Can you briefly describe CRAVE and its characters?

Crave is a lot of fun! I like to think it has something for everyone—romance, angst, adventure, angst, humor, angst, sarcasm, angst, and a bunch of paranormal creatures all thrown together in a boarding school in Alaska. Oh, and did I mention it’s got a little ebit of angst?

Grace is an every girl kind of heroine. A bunch of bad stuff has happened to her--which is how she lands at this boarding school in Alaska-- but she manages to keep a sense of humor as she works through it all. She’s also pretty kickass, if I do say so myself.

Jaxon is … complicated. His issues have issues, but he has a really good heart. One reviewer called him a giant marshmallow of a vampire and I have to admit, I love that description sooooo much.

Flint is a charmer through and through. He’s fun, sexy, loaded with charisma and he knows how to show a girl a good time. Of course, there’s a lot buried under the surface with him, but you’ve got to dig a little to get there. 

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?

This is a hard one for me, because honestly, I love Grace, Jaxon, Flint and Macy all for very different reasons. But if I have to choose one, I’m going to go with Grace (even though Jaxon is a super close second). But there’s a lot of me in this book, and a lot of me in Grace specifically, so I’m going to pick her. But if you ask me tomorrow, I’ll probably say Jaxon because he makes me swoon …

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?

Honestly, I’ve always loved vampires. Dracula, The Lost Boys, The Black Dagger Brotherhood, The Carpathians, The Farm, Boys that Bite, Twilight, Morganville … I’m here for them all! I never thought I’d write a vampire series, though, because I didn’t want to write one unless I had an original take on vampires. But when Jaxon’s world came to me (much of which will be revealed in books two and three of the series), I knew I wanted to write it. Once I had him and Grace and Flint fleshed out, the story just kind of poured out of me :)

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be? 

Gods and Monsters by Lana del Rey. It was running through my head a lot as I wrote Crave.

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?

Ooooh! I am actually really horrible at dream casting, but I’ll give it a shot, just for you J

Grace: Joey King

Jaxon: Douglas Booth

Flint: Shameik Moore

Macy: Chloe Grace Moretz

Lia: Kiko Mizuhara

What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?

Umm, blood. Obviously ;) But if you’re not an actual vampire, I suggest you grab a cold Dr. Pepper (it’s Grace’s favorite) and curl up in a super comfy arm chair because it’s a really looong book.

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish CRAVE?

If they’re looking for vampires, I’m going to go a little old school and recommend a couple of my faves. Emily McKay has an amazing vampire trilogy called The Farm that I absolutely love. And Rachel Caine’s Morganville Vampires is my favorite vampire series ever. 

If they’re looking for something different, Sherry Thomas’s The Magnolia Sword (a retelling of the Mulan story) is out now and absolutely amazing. And We Walked the Sky by Lisa Fielder is a beautiful book.

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

The American short storyist, Dorothy Parker, says writing is the art of applying the ass to the seat. And I have to say, she’s right. For me, the hardest part of writing is making myself sit down at the computer when I know I have to write a difficult scene. Not difficult like I can’t write it, but difficult emotionally, like I know I’m going to have to open up a vein and bleed all over the page (metaphorically speaking, of course). Some scenes mean touching on my own pain so the characters’ emotions feel real and resonate with the reader. Some days that’s okay and other days that’s really, really hard.

What’s next for you?

More Crave, actually. I’m currently working on Crush, the second book in the Crave series, and I’m so excited to be back in Grace and Jaxon’s world.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Tracy Wolff wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince—in second grade, around the same time she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. A one-time English professor with over fifty novels to her name, she now devotes most of her time to writing romance and dreaming up heroes. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her family.

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Interview with Pintip Dunn for Malice

Malice

by Pintip Dunn
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Release Date: February 4th 2020
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction

Synopsis:

What I know: a boy in my class will one day wipe out two-thirds of the population with a virus.

What I don’t know: who he is.

In a race against the clock, I not only have to figure out his identity, but I'll have to outwit a voice from the future telling me to kill him. Because I'm starting to realize no one is telling the truth. But how can I play chess with someone who already knows the outcome of my every move? Someone so filled with malice they've lost all hope in humanity? Well, I'll just have to find a way—because now they've drawn a target on the only boy I've ever loved....

Can you briefly describe MALICE and its characters?

MALICE is about a girl who learns that ten years from now, a classmate will create a virus that wipes out two-thirds of the world. Not only does she have to figure out who he is, but she has to decide if she can take his still-innocent life today, in order to save millions in the future. 

Alice is bad at cooking and as loyal as the time stream is long. I almost feel badly about what I put her through... except I’m also giving her Bandit, the arrogant, blue-haired Thai boy who is absolutely my favorite hero. (I used to qualify that statement by saying that he “might” be my fav, but now I'm just going to come right out and say it. So there. Just don't tell Tanner. Or Carr. Or Logan.) 

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why?

Bandit, for sure! He was inspired by my confident eleven-year-old son, who’s dyed his hair blue no less than four times. It was a pure joy and honor for me to write a hero who is both Asian and swoony... even if my sister was horrified to learn that she was crushing on a grown-up version of her nephew! 

When I was a little girl, doing my very best to read every book in the children’s section of my public library, I never imagined that one day, I would be able to publish a novel that featured a Thai hero. I am so grateful to the YA community for helping to make this unrealized dream come true. 

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere?

I was having drinks with my amazing editor, and she mentioned this inkling of an idea that she thought was directly in my wheel-house — it had time travel and end-of-the-world stakes and big moral questions. I was instantly intrigued! We continued talking and brainstorming (and drinking), and by the end of the night, I had a new book deal!

Of course, it took many months and drafts to turn that quick high concept into a fully fleshed-out story! But that is where the idea was born — in a bar in Atlanta during the RT BookLovers Convention in 2017. 

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?

Crystallize, by Lindsey Stirling. I’m a pretty big Lindsey Stirling fan — we’ve been to her winter concert the last two years — and this song is just magical. She explains that she thinks the song is about inner beauty, as water crystallizes differently whether it’s exposed to positive or negative comments. 

I think this song speaks to the faith that people are essentially good and can change for the better — which is what MALICE is about. 

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?

You know, this question is always the most difficult one for me to answer, as I don’t watch a lot of tv. However, I think what I would be most concerned about is making sure they find the right person to play Bandit. It would be amazing if they could cast a young, handsome Thai actor, such as Nadech Kugimiya or James Ma! But if that weren’t possible, I would love someone like Ryan Potter — who even has green hair as Beast Boy! 

What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date?

For a perfect book date, I would take MALICE to a cute, trendy restaurant with great atmosphere and sip a kir royale (champagne with cassis), which is my drink of choice. In a really perfect fantasy, I would then order boiled rice and sea bass to eat — the ultimate comfort food that Bandit cooks for Alice. Full disclosure, though: this dish is really a breakfast or late night meal, so it might not be found in a trendy restaurant that servers kir royales! 

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish MALICE?

Honestly, the novels that are most similar to MALICE are . . . my other novels. I’d recommended STAR-CROSSED if readers want another stand-alone. In this book, a princess has been tasked with finding a boy fit to die so that her father, the King, may continue to live. The only problem is: the best candidate is the boy she’s loved all of her life. If, instead, readers are interested in an epic trilogy, I’d recommend my FORGET TOMORROW series, which takes place in a world where memories can be sent to their younger selves. In Book 1, my heroine sees a vision of the unthinkable: her future self killing her beloved younger sister. 

I’m also a big fan of Lydia Kang’s TOXIC and NOVEMBER GIRL and Fonda Lee’s ZEROBOXER. This past year, I also read and really enjoyed Julie Dao’s FOREST OF A THOUSAND LANTERNS and Emiko Jean’s EMPRESS OF ALL SEASONS. Last but not least, I am dying to read Abigail Hing Wen’s LOVEBOAT, TAIPEI! 

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

I think the most difficult part of writing a book is the muddy middle! Over the years, I’ve learned (or at least have gotten much better at!) writing the middle of a story, but there’s always a period during that time when I wonder if I’ve forgotten how to write. I look back at my previously published stories and am flabbergasted that I somehow managed to accomplish this seemingly impossible feat of writing an entire book! Every time, I am shocked when (and if!) I get to The End. Every. Single. Time.

What’s next for you?

I have a really fun #ownvoices YA rom com coming out in September, 2020! It’s called DATING MAKES PERFECT, and it features a Thai heroine and hero. The cover (which I hope we can reveal soon) is – dare I say it? – absolutely perfect. 

Here’s a bit about the book: 

The Tech sisters don’t date in high school. Not because they’re not asked. Not because they’re not interested. Not even because no one can pronounce their long, Thai last name — hence the shortened, awkward moniker. 

But simply because they’re not allowed.

Until now.

Sixteen-year-old Panida just wants to find herself since her older sisters have deserted her for higher education. Midnight karaoke parties are not the same when there’s only one of you. Too bad her parents have other plans. 

In a move that other Asian American girls know all too well, six months after the older Tech twins got to college, her parents asked, “Why aren’t you engaged yet?” 

Her sisters retaliated by vowing that they won’t marry for ten (maybe even twenty!) years, not until they’ve had LOTS of dating practice. 

So now, her parents have declared war on the status quo. Not only must their youngest daughter, Panida, date in high school in order to practice her relationship skills, but she must do so under their watchful eyes.

The Techs will decide when, where, and how each date occurs. And with whom. Especially with whom.

Their first candidate? The son of their long-time friends, Mat Songsomboon— arrogant, dreamy, and infuriating. 

Panida’s known him since they were toddlers throwing sticky rice balls at each other —and he would be the perfect person for her to practice dating. 

If only he weren’t her sworn enemy.

Pintip Dunn is a New York Times bestselling author of young adult fiction. She graduated from Harvard University, magna cum laude, with an A.B., and received her J.D. at Yale Law School.

Her novel FORGET TOMORROW won the 2016 RWA RITA® for Best First Book, and SEIZE TODAY won the 2018 RITA for Best Young Adult Romance. Her books have been translated into four languages, and they have been nominated for the following awards: the Grand Prix del'Imaginaire; the Japanese Sakura Medal; the MASL Truman Award; the TomeSociety It list; and the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award.

Her other titles include REMEMBER YESTERDAY, THE DARKEST LIE, GIRL ON THE VERGE, STAR-CROSSED, and MALICE.

She lives with her husband and children in Maryland.

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Interview with Lindsey Duga for Glow of The Fireflies

Glow of the Fireflies

by Lindsey Duga
Publisher: Entangled: Teen
Release Date: October 1st 2019
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Synopsis:

Briony never planned to go back to the place she lost everything.

Firefly Valley, nestled deep within the Smoky Mountains, is better kept in her past. After an unexplained fire gave Briony amnesia, her mother disappeared and her dad moved them to Knoxville.

But now her grandmother needs a caretaker and Briony's dad volunteers her to help. The moment she returns, her whole world shifts. She feels a magical connection to this valley, as if it's literally part of her somehow.

And when she meets a hot guy who claims he was her childhood friend but now mysteriously keeps his distance, Briony starts piecing together her missing past...and discovers her mother didn't leave to start a new life somewhere. She's trapped in the hidden world within the valley.

Now, Briony will do whatever it takes to rescue her, even if it means standing up against dangerously powerful nature spirits. Even if it means giving up her first love.

Can you briefly describe GLOW OF THE FIREFLIES and its characters? 

Briony Redwrell is missing the first ten years of her life. After a fire in her hometown stole her memories and tore her family apart, her father moves them both to Knoxville. The move is a desperate attempt to leave the tragedy, and the fact that Briony’s mother left them, in their past. 

Six years after the fire, Briony’s grandmother breaks her leg and she needs a caretaker. Eager to find out more about her lost childhood—who she was before the fire, Briony accepts the job. 

But she doesn’t go back to Firefly Valley alone. Her best friend, Izzie, accompanies her for moral support. The minute they arrive, Briony gets a phone call from a demolition company that is supposed to be bulldozing down her old home. Knowing this may be her last chance to find clues at her old house, she goes back to the charred house. There, she encounters a handsome teenage boy whom she follows into a world beyond the physical plane. 

In the ethereal plane, nature spirits exist and mana controls the earth elements. It is there where she discovers that Alder—the guy she followed—isn’t just a childhood friend. He’s a nature spirit. It’s also where she encounters her mother who left six years ago. Her mother claims to be trapped within the spirit world and needs these so-called “spirit gates” to be opened in order for her to pass back to the physical world. 

Her mother sends an emissary in the form of a sarcastic fox spirit named Raysh to lead her to the gates. But she needs Alder’s help to open them. And while Alder would do anything for Briony, he fears her getting too close to the world and its spirits who stole everything from her in the first place. Including himself. 

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why? 

Is it cliché if I say my main guy?

Alder stole my heart. When I first wrote him I intended him to be aloof and mysterious, but instead he came out to be this really sweet, endearing, open, and caring guy. He’s also a bit of a dork. He likes puns and old cartoon shows like the The Ninja Turtles. 

One trope that I absolutely adore is childhood sweethearts, and y’all…this book is it. Alder is a one-woman, one-heart kind of guy and ever since he was a kid he’s been absolutely in love with Briony. I’m just really pleasantly surprised with the way he turned out. 

Second favourite character would be Izzie. She just gets to have so many fun lines as Briony’s BFF. 

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere? 

The setting came from a trip that I took to the Smokies when I was in college. My friends and I camped out in a cabin, built a bonfire, made s’mores, canoed across a lake, and went to a small town drive-in. It was one of the best trips I’d ever been on and it made me fall in love with the Smokies. I spent long summers in West Virginia catching fireflies in the front yard with my cousins and my great aunt had the most amazing, beautiful garden…all these things inspired Firefly Valley and one of the main themes of this book: nostalgia. 

We tend to long for the past, but what’s it like if you long for a past you can’t remember? It was that idea that lead me to create Briony’s backstory and the main conflict of the book. 

Besides my own experiences, I drew a lot of inspiration from Studio Ghibli. In fact, three separate Ghibli movies inspired the plot and setting: 

Princess Mononoke (the nature spirits and nature gods were obviously a great inspiration to GLOW. I created the wisps thinking about the kodamas!) 

Spirited Away (Briony also gets transported to a mysterious spirit world and must save a parent!) 

The Secret of Arietty (The aesthetic of the cottage and forest in this film greatly influenced Gran’s cottage in the book.) 

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be?

Fireflies by Colin & Caroline

I must’ve listened to this song a thousand times when I was editing this book. It’s so representative of the story that even though I came up with the idea BEFORE I heard this song (a friend showed it to me after my second draft) I wonder if I wrote this book for this song. GLOW OF THE FIREFLIES is like its full-length featured music video! 

Fall is here or almost here, and we love to go out and find the perfect cosy spot. What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date? 

This book was written off matcha soy lattes. So I would say grab one of those (or some kind of iced sweet tea) and find a porch swing. There’s nothing better than swinging back and forth and letting your toes drag across the sun-warmed wood as you flip that next page… 

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish GLOW OF THE FIREFLIES? 

I don’t know of too many books about nature spirits, but these books have some similarities to mine: 

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater – I’m sure everyone has heard of The Raven Cycle series, but it honestly it can’t be mentioned enough. It’s so GREAT. The setting takes place in Virginia in the foothills of the Blue Ridges. I’d say the aesthetic is pretty close to GLOW. 

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr – Fae! Faeries are pretty close to nature spirits. If you’re into fae and destined love this book might be for you.

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black – A small town with secrets, a mystical forest, and fae!  

What’s next for you? 

My next novel coming out will actually be a middle-grade ghost story called The Haunting. It will be in Scholastic Clubs and Fairs, and also available in B&N. I’m really excited about it since it’s my middle-grade debut and I’ve been dying to break into the age group for a while! Plus, I grew up reading these kind spooky ghost stories when I was a kid. I pretty much consumed all the Mary Downing Hahn and Betty Ren Wright books by the time I was in sixth grade. 

As far as YA goes, I’m actually working on a paranormal romance novel set in the Roaring 20’s! Think Great Gatsby meets This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab. I hope to have news to share on it soon!

Lindsey Duga is a middle grade and young adult writer with a passion for fantasy, science fiction, and basically any genre that takes you away from the real world. She wrote her first novel in college while she was getting her bachelor’s in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University.

Other than writing and cuddling with her morkie puppy, Delphi, Lindsey loves catching up on the latest superhero TV show and practicing yoga.

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